Western United has been given the green light to play A-League matches in Wyndham during the 2023-24 season.
Wyndham council has approved plans to increase playing capacity at Tarneit’s yet to be named Regional Football Facility to include not only A-League Women matches, but also A-League Men matches.
There will also be the potential for double-headers to be hosted on the same day.
A new 2,000-seat terraced grandstand to the east of the main pitch has been approved to cater for the extra on-site matches.
Wyndham mayor Susan McIntyre said she was looking forward to seeing Western United play its first games on home turf this coming season.
“We can’t wait to see both the men’s and women’s teams play right here in Wyndham,” Cr McIntyre said.
“By using the training facility as a match-day venue for both A-League Men and Women matches until the 15,000 capacity stadium is built, we’re getting Western United to its rightful home in Tarneit sooner rather than later.”
Socceroos legend and Western United coach John Aloisi added to Cr McIntyre’s comments.
“It’s been a significant couple of years on the pitch for our club, but I think this next step off the pitch will be the most important,” Aloisi said.
“We are delighted to be able to confirm that we will be able to host men’s and women’s matches at our new home, in front of our fans in the west.
“The people of the west have been there with us on this journey since the beginning and we can’t wait to see them pack out our new home in Tarneit.
“We are looking forward to making our new home a fortress and welcoming everyone in the west to become part of our family.”
Councillor Peter Maynard said Western United is in the process of finalising the fixture for the rest of the 2023-24 A-League season and will announce the dates of their first home matches in Tarneit soon.
“We are excited about being on the journey with the club to build a football force in the west and encourage everyone to get behind the Green and Black this season,” Cr Maynard said.
“The Regional Football Facility will feature state-of-the-art training facilities including three pitches, a two-storey Pavilion and capacity for up to 5,000 spectators”.
It’s the first stage of Wyndham’s landmark A-League Stadium Project with Western Melbourne Group that will also deliver a purpose-built 15,000 capacity soccer stadium and mixed-use precinct including residential, commercial and community facilities.
